NEWSLETTER - Cherwell School

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out & about Languages and Business Conference On Monday 8 March Year 10 Language students attended a languages conference held at the Holiday Inn, Oxford. The Conference stressed the importance of learning a language, perhaps at A-level or even a degree in university, particularly for future work where there are many uses for a foreign language. All in all, everyone really enjoyed the day and it was a very positive experience. We all learnt a lot about how a language could be used in a work environment, especially in business. Cherwell Envision Team Success As part of the ‘Envision’ charity initiative, a group of eight Cherwell Sixth-Formers have been working on a project to create a restful garden space for heart patients at the John Radcliffe Hospital. On December 9 they travelled to London in order to pitch their idea in a ‘Dragon’s Den’-style presentation before a group of potential charity sponsors. The Cherwell team were aiming to get a grant of £500 to help with their project, competing against schools and youth groups from all over the country. Only four of the Cherwell team were allowed to make the pitch, but all contributed to the plans, and they were exceptionally well presented—even wearing t-shirts that they had made with a logo of the ‘Secret Garden Project’, created by talented artist Helen Waters. Even after intensive rehearsal, the team found it slightly aweinspiring to go to Canary Wharf for the event, and find themselves presenting in front of a huge audience. Despite this, they made an impressive presentation, convinced the charity ‘dragons’ and were given all the money that they had asked for. They returned to the school triumphant, ready to begin the spring planting! Many congratulations to all members of the team; to Mariam Alshahib Lami, Thea Hawlin, Caroline Ivimey-Parr, Becca Powell, Catherine Salvini, Ria Roque, Helen Waters and Zoe Wilson, and particular congratulations to Thea, Caroline, Helen and Zoe, who gave the winning presentation. Dr McCarthy Weiyao Li and Harry Hudson, Year 10 Creative Arts Evening, 25th June In our annual celebration of creative talent at Cherwell we had a spectacular showcase of the school’s performers and artists. The performances ranged from the Key Stage 3 Drama Club to Year 10 dancers, from an open rehearsal by the String Orchestra to the Gospel Choir. The Year 10 Music students also held a recital with some stunning performances being given in the Music rooms, while Year 12 took turns to play in the Main Hall. An exhibition of GCSE and A-level Art and Design was also open for viewing, amazing visitors with the students’ skill and creativity in painting, sculpture, photography and film-making to name a few media. The strawberries and refreshments being served were much appreciated in the fantastic summer weather. Thanks to everyone who came to support the school and students. Rosemary O’Reilly Students Attending Oxford & Cherwell Valley College on day release It has been another fantastic year for all of our Year 10 and 11 students who attend college one day a week to do vocational courses. The Year 11 students successfully completed their final year in their course – Construction, Plumbing, Engineering, Childcare Catering and Hair & Beauty. We were immensely proud of Luke Pearce who received the High Sherriff’s Award for his work on the Young Apprenticeship in Engineering. Year 10s began their courses in September, including some starting the new Diplomas in Catering & Hospitality and in Hair & Beauty. We had two very pleasant mornings visiting the college to see our students at work and attended a Celebration Evening where some of our students received awards.
The Chicken Project in South Africa The Chicken Team attended the 6th International iNet Conference in Cape Town, South Africa. iNet is the international arm of the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust, and is concerned with improving global education, the title of the conference being ‘Excellence and Equity’. Schools from across the world were asked to attend and present their methods of improving global education, and The Chicken Project represented The Cherwell School. We were joined by the Headteacher and Deputy Head of The Gcato School, which provided an excellent opportunity to gain feedback on The Chicken Project so far. You can contact The Chicken Project at: chickenproject@cherwell.oxon.sch.uk. During the visit we met representatives from many other schools and learnt about their methods of improving education through a partnership. We heard speeches from the Premier of the Western Cape, Helen ZIlle, and both the heads of education of South Africa and Mauritius. This has helped the project gain international recognition, and we are hoping to expand The Chicken Project as other schools carry out the project with their links around the globe. We also gained a new honorary life president, Professor Yong Zhao of Michigan State University. He is a distinguished professor in the field of education and globalisation. He is helping with the development of the future of the project; please see his online blog for his Chicken Project updates. (http//:zhao.educ.msu.edu). At the beginning of the conference the chicken team greeted the international delegates, helped at the iNet desk, recorded keynote speeches, and held interviews with those who attended. On the last day, our presentation was well received, further investment gained and the partnership with The Gcato School strengthened. We would really like to thank all those people who made the trip possible by sponsoring the team, in particular the Mary Luis Trust and Cherwell’s PTA. What’s in store for the Chicken Project? This term we have recruited 18 team members to carry out the next stages of our work. We will start to raise funds for the second phase of the project, which we hope to implement at the start of next academic year. We have several Chicken Project events and fundraisers before the end of term! We have been asked to produce an article for the iNet newsletter, The Financial Times and to speak at a Specialist Schools and Academies Trust training day and an Oxford event called “Every Chicken Matters”. We are working with a charity called Siren which may publish the project to use with Ugandan schools. Exciting times for the project are ahead – thank you so much for supporting this work. Julie Stuart-Thompson Gospel Choir Appearance on BBC Radio On Sunday May 9 th , the Cherwell School Gospel Choir achieved world-wide fame! We were honoured to be the special guests on The Urban Gospel Experience with DJ G on BBC Radio Oxford, a weekly show which reaches all corners of the globe. Nicknamed ‘the biggest praise party in town’, it was a fantastic opportunity to show off our skills as we appeared on the radio for the very first time, singing four of our songs live on air. The studio was quite small, but we had enough room to get clapping/clicking and get into the songs. A few people were interviewed by DJ G about the choir and singing in general. We all had an amazing time and I think I can say for everyone that it was well worth doing. Lucy Britton, Year 8 New fund-raising CD Since the radio show the Gospel Choir have been busy preparing to record a CD. A BBC sound engineer came in for a day to record the choir, which was hard work in a sweltering room with windows closed to keep out noise from the road and the birds! The result is a CD of five fantastic sounding songs. The CD is on sale now, priced £4, from reception (south site) or the school office (north site). All the profits will be split equally between Gcato School and ROSY (Respite nursing for Oxfordshire’s Sick Youngsters) Mr Ireland African Drumming A group of Year 9 students, accompanied by two Year 10 students, took a quick bus ride and stroll to the Pitt Rivers Museum, where we met with Isabel, a professional musician who gave us an impeccable presentation on African percussion. We were shown many interesting instruments like the thumb piano, wooden xylophone and Kura. We were also taught two African pieces containing African elements such as call and response, syncopation and polyrhythmic patterns. The pieces were performed well, with a Cherwell twist! It was impressive to see some of the Year 9s take up the challenge of leading the complex rhythms. We swapped halfway, so we got a different aspect of the music as well as improving our range of drumming and playing techniques. It was very enjoyable and informative, and I am sure it helped thoroughly for the African music unit. We hope this trip will continue for the years to come. Anna Czepiel & Leo Balknill (Year 10) Cherwell Gospel Choir Sold in aid of Gcato School in South Africa and ROSY (Respite nursing for Oxfordshire’s Sick Youngsters)
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NEWSLETTER - Cherwell School

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